Environmental Complaints Hotline Offered by TNRCC

Who should you call when you have concerns about environmental problems such as stockpiles of tires, water pollution or air pollution? The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) now has three ways to contact them to report an environmental problem: a 24 hour hotline to receive complaints at 1-888-777-3186, their web site at www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/report-problem.html, or you can email the complaint to cmplaint@tnrcc.state.tx.us. House Bill 2912, which became effective January 1, 2002, authorizes the TNRCC to use information provided by private individuals in its enforcement actions. The intent of the legislation is to ensure greater public access to the agency's decision making process so the agency can better support its environmental protection mission. In general, the TNRCC can help with the following environmental situations: if you see water that may be polluted, see or smell something unpleasant in the air, see land that may be contaminated, have problems with your drinking water, have information or evidence about an environmental problem, have problems with an individual or company licensed or registered by the TNRCC, or need more information about a possible pollution source, including permitting status, compliance history, or other complaints that may have been filed against that source. You may submit a "complaint only" call which does not require you to give your name, or submit a call in which you provide evidence or information that may require enforcement action. You will need to be prepared to give pertinent details such as the nature of the problem, the location of the problem, when the problem occurred, who or what is the source of the problem and any eyewitness information, documents or photographs. Nonspecific information or rumor cannot be considered as credible evidence. In order for evidence or information you submit to withstand legal challenges, you may be asked to sign an affidavit, testify in court and/or certify that you have followed TNRCC procedures for gathering and handling of physical evidence. The Texoma Expo will be held at Midway Mall February 15 and 16. I hope you will stop by my booth to discuss State issues with me, my Chief of Staff Barbara Erickson from Austin, and Mike Barnett, my Legislative Director. State Representative Ron Clark P.O. Box 2910 Austin, TX 78768-2910 (903) 893-9426 * (512) 463-0474 (512) 475-3767 (fax) ron.clark@house.state.tx.us http://www.grayson.edu/district62/RonClark.html